Illustrated Family Day in Orange on Oct. 19

The Stark Museum of Art and The W.H. Stark House, both located in Orange, Texas, invite families and visitors of all ages to take part in Illustrated Family Day on Saturday, October 19, 2013 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This Family Day is free to the public.

Families visiting the Museum are invited get into character and explore the art of illustration and bookmaking during Illustrated Family Day. Guests will have the opportunity to make hand-bound books, printed illustrations, and decorative book boxes. For young visitors, there will be storytelling, and families are invited to go on a scavenger hunt for prizes. For added fun, guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite storybook character. Complimentary light refreshments will be available.

While attending Illustrated Family Day at the Museum, visitors of all ages will have a special opportunity to see carved editions of Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol by altered book artist Susan Hoerth. Throughout the day, Hoerth will have multiple carved books on display and will be demonstrating her book carving techniques.

Family Day continues at The W.H. Stark House with fun activities for attendees of all ages. Guests will have the opportunity to create their own fairy tale inspired puppet and further explore hand-bound bookmaking. House guides will lead an interactive story time, and complimentary first-floor tours will explore turn-of-the-century childhood tales and entertainment. Complimentary tours will be available to visitors of all ages, although visitors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Family Day attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the special exhibition Tales and Travels, which is presented by the Stark Art and History Venues. The exhibition will be on display at the Stark Museum of Art through January 11, 2014, and it is presented in conjunction with a coordinating exhibition at The W.H. Stark House during the same period.

From island adventures to giant anthills, the Tales and Travels exhibition has a story for everyone and features first-edition books of long-loved tales as well as real travels from amazing adventurers, along with paintings, prints and drawings. Museum docents will present Interactive Family Spotlight Talks at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. These specially designed talks are created just for families and will encourage all participants to take an active role in looking and storytelling as they explore the fantastical illustrations of Lewis Carroll or the tall tales of the Wild West.

Especially for older students and adult visitors, the Museum will offer a special 10-minute gallery spotlight, which will be given throughout the Family Day. The presentation will focus on the works of artist Karl Bodmer, who in 1832-34 traveled up the Missouri River. The spotlight presentations will take place at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., noon, 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.

Jennifer Restauri, Educator for Studio and Family Programs of the Stark Museum of Art, welcomes all visitors, saying, "Illustrated Family Day will be a fantastic day of art making, storytelling, and exploring the limits of your imagination. With such a wide range of activities planned, there will be something for every age!" Restauri reminds families that all ages are welcome, but children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

About Stark Cultural Venues

Stark Museum of Art, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, The W.H. Stark House and Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts are venues of the Stark Cultural Venues of Orange, Texas that provide significant resources for the study and enjoyment of art, nature, history and culture.

Stark Cultural Venues is a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a private operating foundation that aims to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas.

The Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The W.H. Stark House is located at 610 W. Main Avenue in Orange, Texas, and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 4:00 p.m. Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is located at 2111 W. Park Avenue in Orange, Texas, and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.starkculturalvenues.org or follow us by becoming a fan and 'Liking' each venue's Facebook page.

General admission to the Stark Museum, Stark House and Shangri La is free for Stark Cultural Venues members and their guests, subject to membership level. Admission fees to each venue for all others (as applicable) are $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (age 65 and up), students (with ID), and youth (age 10-17); $2 for children (age 4-9); and free for toddlers (age 3 and under). Group tours are available by advanced registration. Outpost tours are offered at Shangri La and require a separate fee. Outpost tours welcome participants who are at least 4 years of age and older. The W.H. Stark House offers complete Stark House tours to visitors who are at least 10 years of age or older.

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